We've named our little house guest Steve. Being a Norwegian Tree rat, we should have named him Sven or Lars, but Steve just seemed right. He's not made anymore live appearances, but he visits after dark. There must be a sign posted on the mantle in a language only rats can read, that says: "Restroom," because he does…Read more Cheese Please
depression
An Unwelcome Visitor
My eyes are always scanning the floors of our little home, mostly because we have three dogs who make all kinds of messes. A couple of days ago, in the early morning light, I noticed a spot near the front door that looked like a puddle of something. When I looked closer, I found it was…Read more An Unwelcome Visitor
Dixie Dog
Hey everybody! Henry here. Here’s something Martha wrote about my sister Dixie, who is very sick. Please keep in mind that I’m keeping an eye on both of them. Dixie In December of 2005, I was introduced to three-month old puppy named Dixie. A friend who was working at a veterinary hospital witnessed…Read more Dixie Dog
Hope is the thing with feathers…
In my healthier days, when I was happily working at the zoo, I wrote a weekly newsletter for the docents and volunteers. My service dog Henry was always eager to contribute bits of wisdom to my weekly tome, so when he heard I was writing a blog, he asked if he could add a few words. Of course, I said yes. So today…Read more Hope is the thing with feathers…
Cockeyed Optimist?
I'm considering hatching some Mexican Speckled Quail eggs in July, if they're available. There's a place in Wisconsin, (my home state!), that sells them. Maybe I'll have better luck with a different species. Maybe I'm just a cockeyed optimist! Aren't they beautiful?
Hope floats
I was really hoping my eggs would hatch because I need a good dose of joy. I know from previous incubations that hatchlings come into the world determined to survive. They never question their reasons for being here, they just want to live. I know people like that too, and I envy them. Nearly every day…Read more Hope floats
If at first you don’t succeed…try another hen!
Sometimes my efforts to do something that may lift my spirits backfire. That’s what happened with my recent attempt to incubate quail eggs. At first I thought it was because the temperature in the incubator fell below 100 degrees in the last 3 days, but then I found out that a minor decrease would just delay…Read more If at first you don’t succeed…try another hen!
Funny, but offensive
The use of fake service animals and emotional support animals exacerbates the stigma of mental illness. Not long ago I read an article in the New Yorker by Patricia Marx called “Pets Allowed: Why are so many animals now in places where they shouldn’t be?” Ms. Marx is a funny writer, but as soon as I…Read more Funny, but offensive
Cheerful chickens
Today is Day #6 for the incubation of my button quail. On Day #13 I’ll remove the eggs from the auto-rotator and put them on the flat, wire mesh bottom of the incubator. On Day #16, they could start hatching!! Yipppeee! In the meantime, I keep checking the humidity level, which should be 40-60%, and…Read more Cheerful chickens
Dogged Hope
Anyone living with a physical or mental illness knows how easy it is to lose hope. I have an immune deficiency disease and colitis, which have made me dependent on a feeding tube, and I battle depression and anorexia, so I often feel hopeless. But over the years I have discovered things that lift me out of the abyss, the most important being my animal family. Currently I have 4 turtles, 4 quail and 3 dogs, one of whom is my service dog, Henry. My experience with Henry inspired me to write my second book, GIVING PAWS: Having a Service Dog for a Hidden Disability, due in October 2017. Martha Thompson
Dogged Hope 